Kansas State's Erik Kynard prepares for Olympic Trials

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Erik Kynard is aiming high. After all, that's what he does. He reaches heights that few think is possible.

"I don't aspire to just be an Olympian. Now, if we talking medals, you know maybe being an Olympic gold medalist. Yeah, that would be an ultimate dream or getting more than one medal. I don't aspire to get to London and just be there. I want to be in the mix."

For the Kansas State high jumper, that quest begins this weekend at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. If Kynard is at his best, he is certainly capable of making some noise in the London Olympics. The junior recently defended his NCAA outdoor high jump title by clearing a school record 7'8". He is one of only two jumpers in the world to clear that height in an official event this season.

"It's like the little angels on the cartoons. One pops on the shoulder saying, 'You can do this.' The other is like, 'Man, that bar is high. You got no chance.' I just visualize it and go out there and do it."

Kynard will be looking to put his best foot forward Saturday in the high jump qualifying. The final will be on June 25.

"It's not going to be easy. I'm just going to go out there and do what I come here every day and spend five and six hours at a time at practice to do and compete and jump high ."